DE60312177T2 - VEHICLE EQUIPPED FOR DIFFERENT DRIVING MODES AND METHOD FOR DRIVING SUCH VEHICLES - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle for different types of travel comprises a semi-trailer (1) provided with road wheels (5) connectable via a kingpin with a tractor vehicle (2). It has front and rear rail wheel units (7,8) positioned respectively behind the kingpin and the road wheels. The rail wheel units are raised from the ground when the vehicle runs on roads. The rail wheel units can be lowered onto a railway track, with the road wheels being raised and the trailer uncoupled from the tractor vehicle. The trailer can be provided with a drive unit or can be coupled to a locomotive. Several semi-trailers can be coupled together to form a ''train''.

Description

Territory of invention

The The present invention relates to a so-called semi-trailer and in particular a semi-trailer of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.

The prior publications SE, B, 7506711-6 (publication No. 402 343) (Storm) and its American equivalent U.S.-A 4,048,925 teach a vehicle that is on roads and on railroad tracks can be driven.

One lighter van-like transport vehicle or similar Vehicle running on both streetcars as well as railroad tracks can be driven in SE, C, 9401479-2 (Publication No. 502,692) (SRS et al.).

So far it was not for possible kept, really big and heavy semi-trailer type vehicles both for driving on road surfaces as well as train tracks.

Of the semitrailer is usually by means of a device with the towing vehicle coupled comprising a vertical axis of rotation of "turntable" / "kingpin" type become different types of more or less unified Traction vehicles used, assuming that used Vehicle and then in particular the so-called kingpin or axis of rotation can handle the load carried by a semi-trailer.

These Difficulties were inter alia connected with the assumption brought that big Length of the Vehicle and the load-bearing kingpin between the Towing vehicle and the trailer a re-functioning of the vehicle between different driving modes, in particular to an operating mode in which the vehicle is on railway tracks can be driven, impossible would do. In addition, the Doppelradanordnung the towing vehicle causes special problems. However, the present invention offers a possibility of these difficulties easy to solve.

Task of invention

Accordingly a main object of the invention is to provide a very long and heavy road vehicle of semi-trailer type with the necessary elements to hand to a re-working of the vehicle to a road driving mode to enable. Another task is driving the semitrailer to facilitate a railroad track.

short presentation the invention

The first mentioned The object is achieved by an inventive vehicle of the type mentioned above Fulfills, comprising the features set forth in the preamble of claim 1.

The Invention is based on the recognition that the vertical force-absorbing Kingpin or rotation axis, with the trailer part of the Vehicle is connected to the towing vehicle, for driving the vehicle on the railroad track in connection with the reorganization of the Vehicle to its rail mode and also in conjunction with Driving the vehicle off the railroad track when the vehicle returns to its Road mode to be converted, can be used. Thus, it is enough out, only the semitrailer with a vertically movable rail-wheel device at each end of the semitrailer equip. In this regard, can the semitrailer in connection with driving the semitrailer on the railway track detached from the towing vehicle and in conjunction with it to move the front vertically movable rail-wheel device of the semitrailer in the replacement operation.

The Towing vehicle does not have to for rail-mounted operation, but may be in use of the semitrailer for the Transportation of goods on a railroad track for other purposes are used.

In many cases it is appropriate if at least one of the rail-wheel facilities out a bogie having two Schienenradachsen.

A or both rail-wheel facilities but may be a facility include having a single axis. If the rail-wheel device is a uniaxial device, it may be appropriate that the device with an outward pivotable bearing element is provided which has an axis, the one additional Rail wheel for engagement with the rails of the track when driving carries the vehicle on the railway track.

At least one of the rail-wheel devices may include a drive motor for driving the semitrailer on the track. According to another embodiment, which is important in principle, both rail-wheel devices lack such a drive means. Driving the semitrailer backwards on the track is realized by means of the towing vehicle while the rail gebun traffic is handled by means of a separate locomotive or other towing vehicle.

It is possible, too, two or more semi-trailers to connect to dependent from the on the road driven vehicle made claims in one way or another Procedure a "trailer train" for driving on the Railroad track to form.

Consequently can all axles are non-driven axles, so-called "running axles", or one or more axes can be driven alternatively. The axes can vary depending on the requirements the for the in traffic apply to both types of vehicles, both unbraked and be slowed down.

The Front rail-wheel device can be parallel in position be fixed to the track.

Around the vehicle up on the railroad track and down from this to be able to drive It is necessary that the rear rail-wheel facility around can pivot a vertical axis, although means provided can be the fixing of the wheel device in its operating position parallel to the track.

Usually is in connection with driving the semitrailer on a railway track and from this down a level crossing required in is approximately at the level of the upper edge of the railway track.

The The invention also relates to a method for driving a semitrailer of above mentioned kind with the help of a towing vehicle on a railroad track. The method according to the invention comprises essentially the method steps set forth in claim 8.

Of the on the railway track located semitrailer can with a on the Track coupled drive vehicle coupled or attached thereto be, e.g. with the help of brake shoes or brake shoes before the towing vehicle is separated and driven away. On a locomotive the above mentioned Type may be waived if any of the rail-wheel facilities a drive means. The means for operating brakes and driving The vehicle may be attached to the semi-trailer or on a separate rail-mounted device be attached.

It can two or more semi-trailers in a row be positioned on the railroad track and connected with each other, to form a "train".

By To run the process steps in the reverse order becomes the vehicle from the railroad track.

Further Characteristic features of the invention will become apparent from the following Description of preferred embodiments same, with this description with reference to the accompanying drawings he follows.

Summary the drawings

1 is a side view of a so-called semitrailer designed for driving on a road according to the present invention.

2 is a side view of the in 1 shown semi-trailer, which is designed for rail-bound driving, the towing vehicle has been separated.

The sections a, b, c and d of 3 Figures 10 are plan views showing adaptations from a road traffic mode to a rail traffic mode in connection with driving the semitrailer up onto a railroad track.

description the preferred embodiments

1 shows a semi-trailer 1 and a towing vehicle 2 that are intended for driving on a street lane A. 2 shows the detached from the towing vehicle and designed for driving on a railway track B semi-trailer 1 ,

The semitrailer 1 has a loading platform 1a and a front part 1b that with a swivel plate 11 is provided, which is a part of the pivotable, force-absorbing coupling device 10 that forms the semitrailer 1 and the towing vehicle 2 coupled with each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling device on the tractor is a so-called kingpin 12 , A coupling device 10 This type can absorb the load on the semitrailer while performing its various tasks.

The rear part of the semitrailer 1 is with road wheels 5 fitted to wheel axles 5a are worn. The semi-trailer also includes front and rear rail-wheel means 7 . 8th , which in the illustrated embodiment each have the shape of a bogie and two wheel axles 15a include, the rail wheels 15 wear. The rear rail-wheel device 8th is behind the road wheels 5 arranged while the front rail-wheel facility 7 in that area 1c between the load-bearing stage part 1a and the front part 1b the semi-trailer is located ie behind the pivot plate 11 of the semitrailer, which acts as a coupling part.

At least the rear rail-wheel device 8th can be around a vertical axis 14 be pivoted, which also for the front rail-wheel device 7 can apply. The front wheel device 7 but is normally fixed in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the semitrailer or railroad track B. Both rail-wheel facilities 7 . 8th can be moved vertically for the purpose of arranging the rail wheels on the rails while the semi-trailer is being lifted up so that the rear road wheels 5 be lifted over the upper edge of the railway track and also with it the swivel plate 11 their coupling engagement with the coupling part on the towing vehicle triggers, said latter coupling part is referred to in the illustrated case as a kingpin.

The lifting of a bogie device 7 . 8th from the track and placing the bogie on the track are using a device 20 causes the main part of a fixed horizontal arm or boom 21 , a swivel bar 22 a pivoting link located between the arm and the rod 23 and a pivotally mounted hydraulic ram 24 which engages with the central part of the connecting element and which is attached to the opposite end of the semi-trailer comprises.

One between the 1 and 2 Employed comparison makes the movements performed by the various elements between the lifting of the bogie devices 7 . 8th and setting the facilities on the railway track B obviously.

One of the bogie facilities 7 . 8th or both of the bogie devices may alternately comprise means provided with a single axle and conveniently comprising an outwardly pivoting rail-mounted bearing element which may be fixed in its position of use.

3 shows various phases in connection with the driving of the semitrailer on the railway track, for converting the semitrailer from its road traffic mode to its rail transport mode.

3a ) shows the complete vehicle, in other words shows the towing vehicle 2 and the semi-trailer coupled with it 1 When the vehicle has passed the track or has been driven backwards onto the track, the vehicle is oriented so that the semi-trailer 1 in the direction of travel forms an angle with the track, wherein the angle is greater than 90 °, and that the rail-wheel device 8th that is, in the embodiment shown, the bogie is located above the track. Then the bogie 8th lowered to the track.

The downward movement continues until the rubber wheels 5 of the semitrailer have been raised so far from the ground that they are above the upper edge of the rail.

3b ) shows that the towing vehicle 2 at an angle relative to the semitrailer 1 is moved backwards to the track, so that the bogie moves in the direction of travel along the rail.

3c ) shows a position where the towing vehicle has "pushed" or pushed a semitrailer so that it is parallel to the track, in which position the front rail-wheel device becomes 7 pressed down against the track. The downward movement is continued until the semi-trailer 1 in the area of joint coupling 10 detached from the towing vehicle.

If the semitrailer has rail wheels that are not braked, the semitrailer in this position is coupled with a vehicle (not shown) on the railway tracks before it is detached or fastened, ie lifted, by means of brake shoes (not shown) belonging to the semitrailer and part of the coupling device 10 forming coupling part 11 is solved.

Then the towing vehicle 1 drove away, bringing the trailer after 3d ) respectively. 2 adapted for its rail mode and eg coupled with a locomotive or alternatively driven by drive means in one of the rail-wheel devices 7 . 8th are provided.

The Drive means for both brake shoes and for driving the vehicle can either on the semitrailer or attached to another rail-bound vehicle.

It can two or more semitrailers in succession be positioned on the track and connected to each other, to form a "train".

The semitrailer is made by executing the in 3a ) -D) are removed in reverse order from the railroad track.

Claims (10)

Semitrailer with a loading platform ( 1a ), the at least one a road bike ( 5 ) supporting wheel axle ( 5a ), and with a front part ( 1b ), which has a coupling part ( 11 ) to the saddle connection with a towing vehicle ( 2 ) about a vertical axis, characterized in that the trailer ( 1 ) a vertically movable rail-wheel device ( 8th ) which is about a vertical axis ( 14 ) and the at least one axis ( 15a ) having a rail wheel ( 15 ), the trailer ( 1 ) at its front part ( 1b ) behind the coupling part ( 11 ) a vertically movable second rail-wheel device ( 7 ) with at least one rail wheels ( 15 ) supporting axle ( 15a ) having. Semitrailer according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the rail-wheel devices ( 7 . 8th ) is a bogie that has two rail-wheel axles ( 5a ) having. semitrailer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least a rail-wheel device, preferably such a device, which comprises a single axis, with an outwardly pivotable bearing element is provided, which has an axle and another rail wheel for engagement with the rails of the railway track when driving the semitrailer the railway track has. Semitrailer according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that at least one of the rail-wheel devices ( 7 . 8th ) has a drive motor for driving at least one rail-wheel axis. Semitrailer according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that both rail-wheel devices ( 7 . 8th ) Drive means are missing. Semitrailer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front rail-wheel device ( 7 ) is fixed in position parallel to the railroad track. Semitrailer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear rail-wheel device ( 8th ) can be fixed in a position parallel to the railroad track. Method for driving a semitrailer ( 1 ) according to claim 1 on a railway track (B) by means of a towing vehicle ( 2 ) for converting the semitrailer to a railway track driving mode, characterized by the steps of: a) moving the towing vehicle ( 2 ) and the semitrailer ( 1 ) either forwards or backwards, up to and over a level crossing to be used; b) Aligning the semitrailer ( 1 ) for forming an angle with the railway track (B) in the railroad crossing, the angle being greater than 90 ° so that the rear rail-wheel device ( 8th ) is above the track; c) lowering the rear rail-wheel device ( 8th ) down on the track; d) continuing the downward movement until the road wheels ( 5 ) of the semitrailer are raised above the upper edge of the track; e) reversing the towing vehicle ( 2 ) to the track at an angle to the semi-trailer ( 1 ), so that the rear rail-wheel device ( 8th ) is caused to move along the track; and (f) when the semi-trailer is in a position parallel to the track, lowering the front track-wheel device ( 7 ) in contact with the track and continue the downward movement until the front coupling part ( 11 ) on the semitrailer from its cooperating coupling part ( 12 ) on the towing vehicle ( 2 ) is solved. A method according to claim 8, characterized by coupling the semitrailer to a drive vehicle, eg a railway locomotive, which is present on the railway track, or attaching the semitrailer, eg by means of brake shoes (blocks), before uncoupling the towing vehicle ( 2 ) and driving away the vehicle. A method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by positioning two or more semitrailers one behind the other on the Railroad track and connecting the semitrailers together to one Train to form.